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Somalia’s government to tackle scourge of piracy

Somalia says it will eradicate piracy off its coast within the next two years. But the war-ravaged nation lacks the resources to tackle the problem and is seeking help abroad. The international community has so far held back on providing troops to assist African Union peacekeepers who are being pummelled in the country’s capital, Mogadishu, so don’t hold your breath on this one. The appeal for help came from Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke, who is on a visit to Britain. Seven vessels are currently being held by pirates, along with some 170 crew members, who are usually released unharmed after hefty ransoms have been paid. Sharmarke rejected the suggestion that his transitional government has limited reach across Somalia, saying it would eradicate piracy through a civil affairs and information campaign backed by military force. Read more: BBC News

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